Wearable computing apparatus for augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence interactions, and methods relating thereto

Abstract

Wearable computing apparatuses, which can be adapted to be worn on a user's hand, are provided for augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence interactions. Generally, the wearable computing apparatus can include a first subassembly comprising one or more processors, non-transitory memory for storing instructions, at least one haptic motor, and a first set of sensors configured to measure positional characteristics associated with a user's hand. The wearable computing apparatus can further comprise a second subassembly removably coupled to the first subassembly, the second subassembly including a plurality of leads each of which is attached to a finger and comprises a distal portion that houses a haptic motor and a second set of sensors. The second set of sensors is configured to measure positional characteristics associated with the user's fingers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wearable computing apparatus adapted to be worn on a user's hand, the wearable computing apparatus comprising:
 a first subassembly, comprising:
 a first set of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of positional characteristics associated with the user's hand; 
 one or more processors; 
 a non-transitory memory coupled to the one or more processors, the non-transitory memory for storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to detect signals received from the first set of sensors and determine a relative position of the user's hand; 
 at least one haptic motor of the first subassembly; and 
 a first connector interface configured to communicatively couple the first subassembly to a second subassembly, 
 
 wherein the first subassembly further comprises a housing including a top surface and at least one side surface, and a camera disposed on the at least one side surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of sensors includes at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope sensor. 
     
     
       3. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second subassembly, comprising:
 an adjustable strap adapted to secure the second subassembly to the user's hand; 
 a second connector interface configured to mate with the first connector interface of the first subassembly; and 
 a plurality of flexible leads, wherein each of the plurality of flexible leads is configured to be removably secured to a finger of the user's hand, wherein a proximal portion of each flexible lead is coupled to the second connector interface, and wherein a distal portion of each flexible lead includes a haptic motor of the second subassembly and a second set of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of positional characteristics associated with the secured finger. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein instructions stored in the non-transitory memory of the first subassembly, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to detect signals received from the second set of sensors and determine a relative position of each finger of the user's hand. 
     
     
       5. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second set of sensors includes at least one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope sensor. 
     
     
       6. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first subassembly further comprises a touchscreen display disposed on the top surface of the housing. 
     
     
       7. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first subassembly further comprises at least one of a battery, a microphone, a Bluetooth or Bluetooth Low Energy module, and a wireless communication module. 
     
     
       8. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first subassembly further comprises a micro USB port disposed on the at least one side surface of the housing. 
     
     
       9. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second subassembly, comprising:
 an adjustable strap adapted to secure the second subassembly to the user's hand; 
 a camera disposed on a portion of the adjustable strap proximate to a user's palm; and 
 a flexible lead embedded in the adjustable strap, wherein the flexible lead is configured to communicatively couple the camera to the first subassembly. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first subassembly further comprises a housing including a top surface and a touchscreen display disposed on the top surface of the housing. 
     
     
       11. The wearable computing apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein instructions stored in the non-transitory memory of the first subassembly, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:
 receive visual input from the camera of the second subassembly, wherein the visual input includes data indicative of a real-world environment, 
 generate a predefined three-dimensional virtual object according to the visual input, and 
 output the visual input and the predefined three-dimensional virtual object to the touchscreen display. 
 
     
     
       12. A method for communications between a first wearable computing apparatus and a second wearable computing apparatus, wherein the first wearable computing apparatus comprises one or more sensors, and wherein the second wearable computing apparatus comprises one or more haptic motors, the method comprising:
 detecting, by the one or more sensors, a predetermined gesture by a user of the first wearable computing apparatus; 
 generating one or more data signals in response to the detected predetermined gesture; 
 transmitting the one or more data signals to the second wearable computing apparatus; 
 translating the one or more data signals into one or more haptic motor commands; and 
 generating, by the one or more haptic motors, haptic feedback in response to the one or more haptic motor commands. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more sensors include at least one of a gyroscope sensor, an accelerometer, or a magnetometer. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more sensors are configured to sense at least one of a movement, an orientation, or a position of a hand or one or more fingers of the user of the first wearable computing apparatus. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined gesture includes one or more of a finger click, a finger tap, an open palm, a closed palm, one finger open, two fingers open, a playing of a note or a series of notes on a musical instrument, or a sign language gesture representing a word or sentence. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first wearable computing apparatus further comprises a first wireless communication module, and wherein the one or more data signals are transmitted wirelessly to the second wearable computing apparatus. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12 , wherein detecting the predetermined gesture includes determining a gesture location, and wherein generating the haptic feedback in response to the one or more haptic motor commands includes generating a vibratory output to a target location of the second wearable computing apparatus, wherein the target location of the second wearable computing apparatus corresponds to the determined gesture location. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first wearable computing apparatus further comprises one or more haptic motors of the first wearable computing apparatus, wherein the second wearable computing apparatus further comprises one or more sensors of the second wearable computing apparatus, the method further comprising:
 detecting, by the one or more sensors of the second wearable computing apparatus, a second predetermined gesture by a user of the second wearable computing apparatus; 
 generating one or more data signals of the second wearable computing apparatus in response to the detected second predetermined gesture; 
 transmitting the one or more data signals of the second wearable computing apparatus to the first wearable computing apparatus; 
 translating the one or more data signals of the second wearable computing apparatus into one or more haptic motor commands of the first wearable computing apparatus; and 
 generating, by the one or more haptic motors of the first wearable computing apparatus, haptic feedback of the first wearable computing apparatus in response to the one or more haptic motor commands of the first wearable computing apparatus. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more sensors of the second wearable computing apparatus includes at least one of a gyroscope sensor, an accelerometer, or a magnetometer of the second wearable computing apparatus. 
     
     
       20. A wearable computing apparatus adapted to be worn on a user's hand, the wearable computing apparatus comprising:
 a first subassembly, comprising:
 a first set of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of positional characteristics associated with the user's hand; 
 one or more processors; 
 a non-transitory memory coupled to the one or more processors, the non-transitory memory for storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to detect signals received from the first set of sensors and determine a relative position of the user's hand; 
 at least one haptic motor of the first subassembly; and 
 a first connector interface configured to communicatively couple the first subassembly to a second subassembly; and 
 
 a second subassembly, comprising:
 an adjustable strap adapted to secure the second subassembly to the user's hand; 
 a camera disposed on a portion of the adjustable strap proximate to a user's palm; and 
 a flexible lead embedded in the adjustable strap, wherein the flexible lead is configured to communicatively couple the camera to the first subassembly.